Round 8 Preview

Saturday looks on paper as like a lay down misere and should see the five favourites get over the line but if last week end taught us anything it’s that anything can happen if your not switched on.
Hawthorn v Brisbane

Two weeks ago this game looked 50/50 but now looks like the Hawks will continue their revival and destroy the Lions with ease. It’s not that the Lions have been playing overly bad in patches it’s just that they can not keep up for four quarters. They are one of the most accurate sides in the competition compared to the Hawks but they struggle to put more than a quarter together and lack in defence. The Hawks forwards hold the key and if they can kick accurately they win the game. The Hawks where embarrassed by the saints in Tasmania 2 weeks ago and after it being a fortress for so long will want to assert there dominance again. Tom Mitchell has been the shining light for the Hawks and will lead the way again,if he gets a little support from the Hawks elder statesmen they will do enough to win. Rockliff and Beams will try hard but it won’t be enough for the Lions.
Predict Hawks win 48 points
Saint Kilda v Carlton

The Blues will give themselves chance here, they have been playing some solid football and defensively have been one of the best int he AFL, besides a absolute flogging from the Power the Blues have been good in defeat and have showed plenty of fight in their wins. The Saints on the other hand have been very impressive in the last two weeks destroying the Hawks and running away with it against the Giants. The Saints have had more shots on goal than anyone in the league yet are one of the most inaccurate. This is the one chance the Blues have to win the game, if they can stand up in the back half and the Saints are errant in front of goal then the Blues are a real chance here. The Saints midfield lead by the Mullet Jack Steven has been sensational and will have some stiff competition with the Blues mids, the game may be won or lost here but the Saints have one of the most even spreads of talent across the field and will have the goods again here and will secure themselves in the top 8
Predict Saints win 38 points

GWS v Collingwood

The Giants are yet to beat Collingwood but have their best chance this weekend, the Pies are just horrible in front of goal Darcy Moore needs help and needs the pressure off him but with out a Cloke type player in the forward 50 they are struggling with there forward structure. The Giants are sitting 2nd on the ladder and have a chance to secure a top 4 place with a win over the Pies, they have been a bit out of sorts only just beating the inaccurate Dogs and losing to the Saints. The Pies have an obvious problem in front of goal and are the most inaccurate side in the competition and has hurt them more than once this year already. Both sides have made numerous changes but feel at home the Giants should just edge out the Pies here. The Pies will be desperate but the players just seem like they are going through the motions already and are awaiting a big couple changes (hint hint Bucks time to go)
Predict Giants win 9 points

Essendon v Geelong

Four games in 19 days for a tiring Bombers and although the Cats have dropped their last two games they should not be dropping a third to the Bombers who are on the way back from a ordinary second half performance against the Dockers last week. The Cats are one of the most efficient sides in front of goal while the Bombers are one of the worst, if Daniher turns it on then the bombers are a chance. Dangerfield and Selwood have both been down and the Cats need them firing, the Dons on the other hand seem to be hitting mid season blues a little early and with a few players hitting the “wall’ a little earlier than most due to the last couple seasons drama the Cats should bounce back here. Expect it to be close early but the Cats should run away with a nice win.
Predict Cats win 34 points

Adelaide v Melbourne

Both sides got a bit of a reality check last week none more than the Crows after getting a 10 goal touch up from the Roos, and the Demons letting the Hawks get the better of them. The Demons season could start slipping away from here a loss will put them 2 games out the 8 if other results go as they should, travelling to Adelaide is anything but easy especially facing a Crows side hell bent on redeeming last weeks performance. This could get ugly for Melbourne the Crows have been poor starters all year and they need to take advantage of this because the Crows once rolling will be near impossible to shut down.
Predict Crows win 57 points